SUPPORT CHERRY GROVE EMS ON FIRE ISLAND

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EMS IN CHERRY GROVE SAVES LIVES

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The Cherry Grove EMS

In September of 2013, the Cherry Grove Community Association met to discuss the possibility of creating an EMS, Emergency Medical Service in the community of Cherry Grove. The Cherry Grove Fire Department does not provide EMS services to the community. The Suffolk County Police Department are the First Responders in emergency medical situations.

In August 2013, a local resident went into cardiac arrest and the response time by the Suffolk County Police was 45 minutes. This is simply for the most part a logistics problem for the limited manpower of the Suffolk County Police who maybe in another community, or are actively engaged in another emergency somewhere else on Fire Island and simply not available to respond immediately.

The community association formed a committee headed by local resident, Kenneth Osman, a retired NYPD Sergeant and a 40 year member of the West Babylon Fire Department where he has served as a volunteer EMT since 1975. Osman was charged with researching ways to bring an active, viable EMS Service to Cherry Grove for the 2014 summer season.

The Sayville Community Ambulance Company, a volunteer based EMS service in Sayville agreed to provide a Paramedic under contract for the 2014 summer season, provided housing and other equipment, liability insurance could be met.

The Cherry Grove Community Association overwhelmingly supported this proposal. Over the winter Osman spearheaded a Fund raising campaign with other members of the community and almost $60,000.00 dollars was raised in a few short months to fund the program.

Over the winter months, Ken Osman along with Diane Romano, President of the Cherry Grove Community Association met with Town of Brookhaven and Suffolk EMS Officials as well as the Sayville Community Ambulance Company to bring EMS to Cherry Grove.

Under contract with the Sayville CAC and with agreement of Suffolk EMS Officials, the Suffolk County Police Department and the Cherry Grove Fire District, beginning on Sunday, May 11, 2014 a Paramedic is on duty 24/7 in Cherry Grove available to respond to 911 calls until September 28, 2014. Residents in Cherry Grove who need emergency medical assistance are urged to call 911 requesting same. This request will activate the on duty Cherry Grove medic to respond while simultaneously activating the SCPD and Cherry Grove Fire Department who will provide transport to the waiting SCPD Marine Division boat for transport across the bay to a mainland hospital.

Suffolk EMS Chief Robert Delagi found the program innovative and a much needed life saving service. Cherry Grove is now protected EMS wise as well as any mainland Long Island Community. He also stated that this pilot program was the only privately funded EMS program in New York State. Other Fire Island communities such as Ocean Beach and Ocean Bay Park provide EMS services.

The program commenced on Sunday May 11th and within 3 hours 911 received its first call for an elderly female complaining of chest pains. Cherry Grove EMS Chairman Ken Osman reports that the Cherry Grove medic was activated to respond and was first on scene treating the patient when Suffolk Police arrived. With the assistance of the Cherry Grove Fire Department, the patient was transported to awaiting SCPD Marine Division boat for transport across the South Bay to a hospital. Osman stated that the system worked flawlessly as designed and planned all winter. Since the inception of the Cherry Grove Paramedic program, the medic has already responded to numerous calls for emergency medical assistance.

Through funds raised, the community has just taken possession of its own fully equipped Advanced Life Support EMS vehicle for the medic as well as additional much needed, overdue rescue equipment for the fire department. Ken Osman stated that "not a dollar was wasted and all was put to good use".

Long term funding of this project is now the major concern. The Cherry Grove community is now well protected for its EMS needs. Community members and anyone who visits Cherry Grove can donate and can send a check to CGCAInc. 145 West 45th Street, Suite 300, NY, NY 10036. Put EMS in the memo line.

To date the paramedic has responded to well over 35 calls for EMS thru Suffolk Counties 911 system. In each case the Cherry Grove Paramedic has been first on scene before the Suffolk PD with an average response time of 4 minutes from 911 call to present on scene.

In one recent case, a local resident walked into the Doctors Office in Cherry Grove complaining of chest pains. As the Doctors office is NOT equipped with an EKG or narcotics, and the Doctor realizing this man was having an acute heart attack, instantly dialed 911 for the medic.The medic was on scene in 2 minutes, started an EKG confirming the heart attack. She immediately administered nitroglycerin and started an IV with other life saving drugs administered. The man was transferred to Southside Hospital and was given two stints. The on duty Cherry Grove Doctor fully credits our Paramedic and our equipment/drugs with saving this mans life. She clearly stated that he surely would have died with out this intervention.

Photo Courtesy Of: Ken Osman